Yemen: the road to national dialogue

Key dates in the Arab nation since a transition accord was signed by the regime and opposition in November 2011.

Former president Ali Abdullah Saleh was ousted by popular revolt after 33 years in power [EPA]

Key dates in Yemen since a transition accord was signed by the regime and the opposition in November 2011 calling for a national dialogue, which started on March 2013.

The accord, signed in Riyadh following an 11-month popular revolt in which hundreds of people were killed, resulted in president Ali Abdullah Saleh's ouster after 33 years in power and his replacement by his deputy Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi.

2011

November 23: Saleh signs a deal with the parliamentary opposition, drawn up by Gulf monarchies, to transfer power to Hadi, in exchange for immunity from prosecution for him and his family.

The accord also provides for a national dialogue aimed at drawing up a new constitution and preparing for legislative and presidential elections which are due to take place in February 2014.

2012

February 25: Hadi sworn in days after receiving, as sole candidate, 99.8 percent of valid votes.

The ceremony is overshadowed by a suicide bombing, claimed by al-Qaeda, which kills 25 troops in the southeast.

March 17: Thousands of separatists rally in Aden to protest against the national dialogue process, saying that leaders from Southern Yemen have not been included in the process and that their region be allowed to secede from the north.

March 18: Hundreds of representatives from various political groups gather in Sanaa to discuss roadmap under UN-backed deal.

April 11: President Hadi orders the removal of top security officials from government, in a major shake-up directed at allies of ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

April 27: At least five troops killed at checkpoint outside Sanaa, as intelligence chief is shot dead outside his home in Mukalla.

June 8: Yemen begins the second round of its national dialogue in Sanaa as President Hadi hailed progress made in March talks.

June 9: At least seven people have been killed and at least 30 wounded in a gun fight next to the National Security Agency building in Sanaa.

June 12: Houthis, members of Shia group march in capital calling for more say in country's future and new national security service.

June 17: A senior member of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has confirmed that Said al-Shihri, its second-in-command, has been killed in Yemen.

August 3: The United States issues a global travel alert to warn its citizens of potential "terrorist attacks", particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, including Yemen.

August 4: The US temporarily closes 21 embassies and consulates in mostly Muslim countries, and several European states shut embassies in Yemen over fears al-Qaeda was planning to launch attacks.

August 25: At least one person has been killed and dozens injured in a bomb attack on a bus carrying members of Yemeni air force officers in capital Sanaa.

September 20: Dozens are killed in twin attacks on military targets, officials say, with two car bombs exploding at a base in Shabwah and a separate shooting targeting soldiers at a base in Mayfaah.